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“The Biden-Trump Debate Fiasco - What now?”
Presented by Catherine Francis
On June 27, 2024, viewers across the globe tuned into the much anticipated debate between presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees for the presidency, Joe Biden and Donald Trump. And watched in horror as Biden stumbled through, appearing incoherent and almost zombie-like, sending shockwaves around the world as the prospect of another Trump presidency became more than a possibility but almost a certainty unless there is a drastic change. Prominent liberal leaning media outlets and even senior Democrats are calling for Biden to withdraw, calls which Biden has so far strongly resisted, claiming that he had a cold, was tired, was having a bad night etc.
As usual, I called on ChatGPT for its opinion on how things went.
“The June 27, 2024, presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump was a highly anticipated event that ultimately left many viewers disappointed with the performances of both candidates. Here are some key highlights and analysis:
1. **Performance and Presentation**:
**Joe Biden**: At 81, Biden's performance was marked by moments of incoherence and a hoarse voice, which made him appear frail and out of touch at times. He had difficulty maintaining a steady flow of speech and often lost his train of thought. His claims, such as those about semiconductor jobs and black unemployment, were scrutinized, with fact-checkers pointing out exaggerations and inaccuracies [oai_citation:1,PolitiFact | 2024 presidential debate fact-check: How accurate were Joe Biden, Donald Trump?](https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/) [oai_citation:2,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
**Donald Trump**: Trump, at 78, was characterized by his aggressive and often evasive style. He dodged direct questions and repeated several falsehoods, particularly regarding inflation and food prices, which were debunked by fact-checkers. His claims about Biden causing inflation and food prices quadrupling were found to be grossly exaggerated [oai citation:3,PolitiFact | 2024 presidential debate fact-check: How accurate were Joe Biden, Donald Trump?] (https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/) [oai_citation:4,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
2. **Key Issues Discussed**:
**Economy and Inflation**: Trump blamed Biden for the high inflation rates, claiming he had inherited an almost perfect economy. However, fact-checkers pointed out that inflation was influenced by multiple factors, including supply chain disruptions and global events like the Ukraine conflict. Biden countered by pointing out that Trump’s proposed tariffs would cost American families significantly [oai_citation:5,PolitiFact | 2024 presidential debate fact-check: How accurate were Joe Biden, Donald Trump?](https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/) [oai_citation:6,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
**Jobs and Employment**: Biden highlighted job growth and cited low black unemployment rates, though his figures were partially inflated. His statement about semiconductor jobs paying high salaries without requiring a college degree was also contested, as most high-paying jobs in that industry do require advanced education [oai_citation:7,PolitiFact | 2024 presidential debate fact-check: How accurate were Joe Biden, Donald Trump?](https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/) [oai_citation:8,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
3. **Public and Expert Reactions**:
**General Sentiment**: The debate reinforced a growing "none of the above" sentiment among the public. Many viewers and political analysts found the debate frustrating to watch due to the lack of substantive discussion and the candidates' respective weaknesses in communication [oai_citation:9,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
**Fact-Checking and Accountability**: Fact-checkers played a significant role in assessing the accuracy of both candidates' statements. Trump's tendency to make unverified claims and Biden's occasional inaccuracies highlighted the importance of verifying political rhetoric [oai_citation:10,PolitiFact | 2024 presidential debate fact-check: How accurate were Joe Biden, Donald Trump?](https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/) [oai_citation:11,Robert Hur Emerges as the Clear Winner in the Presidential Debate – JONATHAN TURLEY](https://jonathanturley.org/2024/06/28/robert-hur-emerges-as-the-clear-winner-in-the-presidential-debate/).
4. **Overall Impact**:
The debate did not significantly alter the political landscape or shift public opinion drastically. Instead, it highlighted the challenges both candidates face in connecting with voters and addressing critical issues effectively. The performance of both candidates left many viewers feeling underwhelmed and concerned about the future leadership of the country [oai_citation:12,Trump-Biden Debate Highlights: Who Came Out on Top?](https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/06/27/trump-biden-debate-recap/).
In conclusion, the June 2024 debate between Biden and Trump underscored the difficulties both candidates have in effectively communicating their policies and connecting with the electorate. The event emphasized the need for clear and honest political discourse as the election approaches.”
Not a bad summary. Clearly ChatGPT has matured, has up to date information and now cites sources.
What do we humans think? What next? Should Biden step back? Who would replace him? Is it ageism to talk about Biden’s declining cognitive abilities? Should there be a cut-off? Join us for a lively discussion, at least livelier than the Biden/Trump debate.